Actor Paul Walker dies at 40

Paul Walker, of Fast and the Furious fame, was killed in a car accident on November 30th, 2013 in Santa Clarita, California. Friends and fans mourn the loss of the actor.

At 9 p.m. EST on Saturday, November 30, reports surfaced online that actor Paul Walker, 40, had died in a car crash in which he was a passenger. Known for his work in the Fast and the Furious franchise, Walker's death is the latest in a string of young celebrities passing under tragic circumstances.

He was so young. Only 40 years old... I can't believe it! Not to mention too gorgeous to pass away! I lift his family up in prayers after this tragic loss! Paul Walker ladies and gentlemen! #sad #beautiful #handsome #paul #walker #passed #away #fast&furious #speechless

Other news outlets such as Mediaite and the New York Daily News began to pick up the story as well, citing only TMZ as a source. The lack of confirmation from official sources caused social media users and fans to be suspicious. Twitter death hoaxes aren't uncommon - every year more and more celebrities log into their social media accounts only to find that they've died suddenly. With Twitter's track record, it's not hard to believe social media was skeptical:

Shortly after 10 p.m. EST, after an hour of speculation, confirmations of Walker's death began appearing online. The Associated Press received a statement from Ade Van Iden, Walker's publicist, confirming his death in California.

Shortly after the publicist statement, Walker's official Twitter account, @RealPaulWalker confirmed the news themselves. The post cross-references a post made on his official Facebook page, giving slightly more detail as to the circumstances of his death:

Walker is known best for his role as Brian O'Conner in the Fast and the Furiousfilm franchise, in which he has starred in five films. His character, a former police officer turned F.B.I. agent and street racer, has been a staple in the series since the beginning. The latest film, Fast & Furious 6, was released on May 24, 2013:

Walker was in Santa Clarita to attend a charity event for Reach Out Worldwide. The nonprofit is a mobile first aid organization specializing in helping out after devastating natural disasters worldwide, currently giving aid to the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan.

He was a passenger in his friend Roger Rodas' car when the red Porsche "crashed into a light pole and tree and burst into flames", according to police. Both passengers died. The car was mangled almost beyond recognition:

The movie, which has not been completed at the time of Walker's death, has fans worrying about the franchise's future. At this time, it is unknown whether the production will continue on schedule. Fans have expressed worry about the upcoming film: